The name Shih Tzu means ‘little lion’, but that’s where the similarities stop. These guys are great for those relaxing indoor days and are the ultimate lapdog. Their small size means that they don’t need a lot of exercise, making them great for families who have a busy lifestyle. 

How much exercise does a Shih Tzu need? 

Shih Tzu’s need around 70 minutes of exercise a day and because they’re small dogs, it’s best to split up their daily walks into 2 or 3 outings.

Don’t forget that playing with your pup is also exercise, so make sure you schedule in some rest time so they don’t become too tired or overstimulated. After all, who doesn’t feel better after a good sleep?

If you need a helping paw to get the balance just right, it’s time to PitPat up. We’ll give you an exercise goal tailored to your dog, and you’ll be able to monitor all their activity 24/7. Simple.

How much exercise does a Shih Tzu puppy need?

Because of their little bodies, puppies really don’t need a lot of exercise. This applies to Shih Tzus even more, as even fully grown, they’re still on the small side. Around 5 minutes a day for each month of their age can be enough, as too much exercise at this stage could cause joint and bone issues in later life. 

As they edge closer to adolescence, the amount of exercise they need will increase. But by how much? With PitPat there’s no need to guess, as it will automatically adjust your pup’s goal as they grow.

How much exercise does a senior Shih Tzu need? 

At this point in your furry companion’s life, it’s time to start thinking about shortening those walks. As dogs get older, they don’t need as much exercise as they did before and you may notice them starting to slow down. With Shih Tzus, a simple way of solving this would be to reduce the amount of daily walks they do or the amount of playtime they have. 

Let your dog set the pace and keep an eye out for signs that they are getting tired, so you know when it’s time to head for home.

PitPat will automatically adjust their exercise goal too, so you’ll know what they need to keep them happy and healthy.

Best types of exercise for Shih Tzus

Play – Shih Tzus are one of the happiest and most outgoing breeds you’ll find, so they love some playtime with their pawrents. This can be a variety of things like tug of war, chasing a ball, or even just hide and seek around the house. 

Enrichment activities – These are a great way to keep your dog busy and get them using their brains at the same time and there are so many activities to choose from. Stuffed Kongs, treat-dispensing balls, scent work, and snuffle mats are just some of the ways your best pal can have fun whilst stimulating that brain of theirs. 

Put your best paw forward and become part of the PitPat pack today, all you need to do is download our FREE app to get started. Then get kitted out with a PitPat Dog GPS Tracker so you can track their activity, weight and feeding and find them if they ever go on a solo mission.

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